Justice News

Member Of Minneapolis-Based Gang Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Conspiracy To Distribute Crack Cocaine

United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the sentencing of CARNEL LAVEL HARRISON, a/k/a “Boo Man,” 27, with conspiring to distribute crack cocaine in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. HARRISON pleaded guilty on April 30, 2015. He was sentenced on January 21, 2016 before U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minn.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Steinkamp said: “The defendant and other members of his violent street gang sold significant quantities of crack cocaine to the citizens of St. Cloud and Minneapolis. A sentence of 10 years provides deterrence to others who may try to profit from the misery that drug addiction brings, and will also protect the public from an individual with a history of violent crime.”

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, between January and December 2014, HARRISON was closely associated with the Minneapolis-based Taliban/Young N Thuggin (YNT) street gangs. Taliban/YNT gang members use hand gestures, social media, and specific language to communicate amongst each other and to convey membership. They claim an area of north Minneapolis as their territory, and other north Minneapolis gangs, including the 19-Dipset and Stick Up Boys, as enemies.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, HARRISON and his co-conspirators made money by trafficking in illegal drugs, among other criminal activity. Members of the Taliban/YNT frequently traveled to St. Cloud and Duluth, Minnesota, and to Fargo, North Dakota, to sell crack. Crack that the Taliban/YNT could sell in Minneapolis for $20 could be sold for $50 in Greater Minnesota and in North Dakota. Similarly, an amount of crack cocaine sold for $150 in the Metro area would sell for between $220 and $250 in Greater Minnesota.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, HARRISON and his co-conspirators would carry guns to protect themselves and their money while trafficking crack cocaine. They also use guns to both protect against attacks by rival gangs and to retaliate violently to threats or assaults by their rivals. Their use of weapons is intended to gain street supremacy and further the gang’s ability to sell illegal drugs.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of federal and local law enforcement agencies, including, but not limited to, the FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and St. Paul Police Department. The St. Cloud Violent Crimes Task Force and the St. Cloud Police Department were a critical part of this investigation.